Former three-time world champion Freire will be looking for stage wins whilst Menchov has his sights set on the overall classification.

“It’s a great responsibility that gives me high motivation,” Menchov said in a team statement.

“It will be my first big stage race with the team of my country, so I’ll give my best in order to win. Moreover, the Tour de France is the only competition between the Grand Tours that I still haven’t won.

“It’s not a secret that this year it was my main goal. It would be the crowning achievement of my career, so that is why I look forward to the start.

“The team is great. We selected the riders very carefully. I talked a lot with the sport directors. I think that it’s the best possible team having in mind our shape and the profile of the competition.

“We have good domestiques and Freire during this season proved to be in a great shape. I´m very satisfied with the final roster and I’m sure we will obtain some great results.”